Winter Farmers' Markets Opening Near Bethel and Beyond

By Jaimie Cura

Winter farmers’ markets are opening across Connecticut, giving residents the opportunity to enjoy farm-fresh produce and goods during the holiday season and beyond.

Sixteen holiday and winter markets are registered on the CT Department of Agriculture website. The markets typically offer produce, meats, cheeses, maple syrup, candles and soaps, locally produced jams and jellies and bakery items, according to a press release from

“This is a huge plus for farmers and for those who want fresh, local produce and products,” Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Coventry farmers’ market that featured music from the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums.

2015-16 Holiday & Winter Farmers’ Markets

Old State House Christmas Farmers’ Market

• December 8, 9, 10, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Old State House, 800 Main Street, Hartford

South Windsor Farmers’ Market

• October 31 through December 19
• Saturdays; 10 .a.m - 1 p.m.
• St. Margaret Mary Church - Church Hall, 80 Hayes Road

Goshen Farmers Market

• November 15 - December 20
• Sundays, 1 - 4 p.m.
• St. Thomas Church, 71 North Street

Litchfield Hills Farmers’ Market

• October 24 - June 11
• Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Road

New Milford Farmers’ Market

• December 5, 19, January 2, 16, 30, February 13, 27
• Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• The Maxx, 94 Railroad Street

City Seed - New Haven Farmers’ Market

• November 7 - December 19. (Closed Thanksgiving weekend)
• Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Wooster Square-Russo Park - Corner of Chapel/DePalma

City Seed - New Haven Farmers’ Market

• January 16 - March 26
• Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Metropolitan Business Academy, 115 Water Street

CitySeed - New Haven Farmers’ Market

• November 8 - December 20. (Closed Thanksgiving weekend)
• Sundays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Edgewood Park - Corner of Whalley/West Rock Avenue

Bozrah Farmers’ Market

• November 21, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Maples Farm Homestead, 45 Bozrah Street

Stonington Farmers’ Market

• November 7 - May 21
• Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Velvet Mill, 22 Bayview Avenue

East Haddam Farmers’ Market

• November 22, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• East Haddam Grange Hall

Higganum Farmers’ Market

• November 22, Noon - 3 p.m.
• Haddam Community Center, 7 Candlewood Hill Road

Colchester Holiday Farmers’ Market

• November 21, 11 am - 3 pm
• Colchester, St. Andrew’s Church

Andover Farmers’ Market

• January 16, 30, February 13, 27
• Saturdays, 9am - Noon
• 17 School Road, Community Room

Coventry Farmers’ Market

• November 15 - March 27. (No market on March 20)
• Sundays, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Coventry High School Cafeteria, 78 Ripley Hill Road

Ellington Farmers’ Market

• Nov 21, Dec 5 & 19, Jan 9 & 23, Feb 6 & 20, March 5 & 19
• Saturdays, 10 a.m. - Noon
• YMCA, 11 Pinney Street

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney attended Coventry’s opening day and said that winter markets can help maintain the state’s robust 22-percent growth in new farms documented in a USDA census last year.

“It’s a lot of hard work to put this together,” Courtney said. “But this is one of the ways that we will continue to grow and keep that momentum going.”

Photo: Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky at the Coventry Winter Farmers’ market Sunday, talking with Tolland mushroom growers Jack and Donna Yurgel, who grow Shiitake mushrooms on logs made of sawdust, oat bran and wheat bran.